Question

In calling a prescriber on the phone, an RN says, "I'm worried about Mr. Voldemort. He seems kind of confused and he has a fever. Do you want to start some antibiotics or anything?"What is missing from this information to the prescriber?

a) Specific details about the patient's vital signs
b) Information regarding any recent travel or exposure
c) Description of the patient's confusion and fever in more detail
d) All of the above

Answer 1

To make an informed decision about starting antibiotics for a patient, specific details about the patient's vital signs, information regarding recent travel or exposure, and a more detailed description of the patient's confusion and fever are crucial and are missing from the RN's communication to the prescriber.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario where an RN is calling a prescriber about a patient's condition, the information provided is lacking several critical elements that would allow the prescriber to make an informed decision about the patient's care, particularly concerning starting antibiotics. The missing information includes:

• Specific details about the patient's vital signs, which can offer objective measures of the patient's current state and could indicate the severity of the infection.
• Information regarding any recent travel or exposure could help determine if the patient may have been exposed to specific pathogens or risks tied to particular locations or activities.
• A description of the patient's confusion and fever in more detail that would provide better context for these symptoms—whether they are new, worsening, or consistent with the patient's usual state of health.

All of these details are crucial in both assessing the patient's condition and determining whether antibiotics might be warranted or if further diagnostic evaluations are necessary before treatment.